Dunn dies for killing bank teller

Published: Wednesday, August 11, 1999

HUNTSVILLE {AP} A ninth-grade dropout convicted of killing a Houston-area bank teller during a robbery more than 19 years ago was executed Tuesday evening, becoming the third man in a week to receive lethal injection in Texas.

Kenneth Dwayne Dunn was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m., six minutes after the flow of lethal drugs began.

Dunn declined to make a final statement. When the warden asked whether he'd like to say anything, Dunn shook his head.

Dunn, 39, was condemned for the murder of 21-year-old Madeline Peters, who was shot once in the head March 17, 1980, a day after she had picked out her wedding dress.

He was the 19th inmate executed this year in Texas. Three more are set to die in the next eight days, including one Wednesday evening.

"It doesn't change anything," Charles Peters, the victim's father, said of Dunn's execution. "It just ends another worry about him getting out and doing this to somebody else... It's not going to bring my daughter back."

Asked what he would tell Dunn if he could speak with him, Peters replied: "Rot in hell."

Ms. Peters' mother, sister, niece and a friend also witnessed the execution.

Dunn selected entertainers Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson as witnesses, but neither Jackson appeared. In court documents during his appeal, Dunn contended Michael Jackson had a videotape of the fatal shooting that would exonerate him. Prosecutors argued no tape existed and Dunn was trying to feign a mental illness so his execution would be delayed.